In an age where hundreds of fighters are under contract with the UFC, Dan Hardy’s short road to a title shot is somewhat of an anomaly.

Maybe not for heavyweight, but for welterweight, one of the most talent-laden divisions in the sport, four fights to a title shot is lickety split. Just ask Lyoto Machida.

Then again, it’s also a testament to the dominance of champion Georges St-Pierre. The French-Canadian has pretty much cleaned out the division, and many thought to be rightful heirs to contendership have stumbled upon each other.